Since 1980, the National Park Service has operated the memorial with a
cooperative agreement with the US Navy. They are the caretakers of the memorial
and the shoreline Visitor Center. They have done a wonderful job preserving the
standards, memories and traditions associated with the attack on Pearl Harbor.

When you arrive at the park, after standing in line (it is always busy) you
will be given a ticket to view the documentary about the attack on Pearl Harbor.
These are given on a first come first serve basis. The first viewing is at 7:45
am. The last viewing is at 3 pm.

The daily viewing averages about 4,500 people.
The admission is free. You will first view the 23 minute documentary about the attack, then
take the boat shuttle to the memorial..

Your admission includes the access to the museum and the gift store. While
waiting for your ticket time to be called, you can take the self tour around the
museum, or rent the guided tour headset technology.

Most days there are volunteers at the center, who are Pearl Harbor Survivors.
Take a few minutes and learn first hand what it was like to be there during this
important day in world history.

See what others thought of the USS Arizona Memorial at TripAdvisor

Things to Know for Visiting

Arrive early - Lines start forming at 6:30 am for
the 7:45 am viewing of the movie

Rent the self guided tour - it explains more than
the plaques do

Remember that the Memorial is located on an active US
Military Base

Take your time at the USS Arizona Memorial and in the museum

There are no washrooms at the USS Arizona Memorial
- Go before you view the documentary

The shortcake at the gift shop is actually corn bread (this was a shock
to us)

Remember this is a burial ground, please show respect
at all times

Look for the oil that still sits on the water like
ghosts from the explosions on that fateful day

Take the time to talk to a survivor

Proper attire is required - swimsuits and
inappropriate t-shirts are not allowed.

No purses, handbags or backpacks are allowed in
the visitor center or on the Memorial

337 crew members survived that day

The USS Arizona sank in 9 minutes and burned for 2
days.

Operating Hours, Fees and Tours

The park is open every day of the week from 7:30 am to 5 pm. It is closed
Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.

The first viewing of the
documentary is at 7:45 am and the last is at 3 pm.

Start with
a visit to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Then spend the rest of the day
touring the island enjoying the North Shore, the Dole Plantation, the
Nu-uanu Pali Lookout on the windward side of Oah'u and a visit to the
famous Byodo-In Temple. You can get 1 child's ticket for each adult on
this tour.

Immerse yourself into
the history of World War II with this tour from Oahu to Pearl Harbor.
You will tour the site of the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor, the
signing of the surrender aboard the USS Missouri. You will even get to
walk in General Douglas MacArthur's footsteps!

We arrived at about 7 am and were stunned at how many people were there
already. I had researched before that we should be there early but we were
amazed at how long the line up was!

We waited about 50 min and got the 8:45 (or so) screening of the film. We
decided to rent the self guided tour. It was well worth the $5.00 we paid.

We went to the small snack bar and bought a snack - just so you know the
short cake is actually corn bread! Warren got a big surprise when he bit into
it!

After the film, we were shuttled out to the ferry that takes you to the
memorial. It is operated by the US Navy. We then spent about 15 minutes paying
our respects and visiting the memorial.

I was fascinated by how the oil from the explosions that day still sat on the
water. Just like ghosts from the past guarding the resting place of those that
died that day

I have to admit. I wasn't that interested in seeing Pearl Harbor and the USS
Arizona. I am not a history buff, however, I do feel that it is my
responsibility to remember those that suffered for my freedom.

Even though I am a Canadian, what happened that day still effected my life
today. The documentary was very well done (even if it is quite old) and it
showed all sides from my perspective. I was surprised at the footage they had
from the Japanese. I learned a lot about this part of WWII. Being a Canadian,
most of our history about WWII was in Europe.

It was also kind of neat trying to imagine what happened and relating it to
the movie Pearl Harbor (yes I am a movie nut).

We finished at the USS Arizona Memorial by about 10 am. It was well worth the
visit and I am glad that I got to go and pay my respects.

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